Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 132: "Can I kiss you."

Chapter 132: "Can I kiss you."

The scent of roasting meat wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp moss and stone. Moonlight filtered through the cracks above, casting ethereal patterns that played across Xiang Yu delicate features.

He was sitting cross-legged on the cool stone floor trying to ignore the lingering numb sensation at the back of his hand where Han Xin had just touched him. He had never thought anyone would be able to charm him but Han Xin had done just that. His heart had never beat that fast before for anything.

As he turned a piece of meat on a stick over the fire, he couldn’t help but smile recalling the feeling of his lips pressing against Han Xin’s cool skin. Was he that thirsty that he was even subconsciously wanting to get closer to him? It was ridiculous when he thought about it.

While Xiang Yu was roasting the meat on the fire, Han Xin was leaning against the wall, his gaze heavy-lidded yet intensely focused on her every movement. He watched her carefully roasting the meat with an almost childlike delight. He couldn’t wait to try what she had made for him. He was pretty sure that if she were to cook poison for him, he might take it despite the consequences.

Xiang Yu finally pulled two sticks from the fire and approached Han Xin. "Here," he said softly, handing him one stick dripping with juices that glimmered underneath moonlight like liquid gold.

Han Xin’s fingers brushed against hers as he took it, a touch electric yet tender. "Sit next to me," he murmured softly as he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to his side. "I feel cold," he added quietly as if afraid that she would refuse. As though to further validate his request, a cold breeze swept past them, and a chill seeped into their bones.

Xiang Yu didn’t refuse. Recalling how cold Han Xin’s hands were earlier when he touched him, he thought he was really cold. Besides it felt comfortable sitting near him. He took a bite from his piece of meat not sure how it would taste. The flavours burst forth in his mouth like summer rain after a drought. The taste wasn’t far off from the taste of chicken.

Han Xin looked at her. Seeing her enjoying the meat he asked curiously, "Didn’t you eat dinner?"

Xiang Yu paused mid-bite recalling how he had been interrupted by the Divine Emperor and didn’t get to eat his fullest. "I didn’t eat enough. Don’t you want to try it?" he said, his cheeks puffed up.

Han Xin found himself smiling at how cute she was. How could someone so fierce when fighting appear so endearing? "I will try it because you made it."

His words dripped with sincerity as he leaned closer toward her. He just wanted to be closer to her. He took a bite, and it wasn’t that bad. Han Xin hadn’t eaten all night as his jealousy made him lose his appetite, and now that she had made this for him, he couldn’t help but eat more.

Xiang Yu licked his lips before asking, "Do you want more?" Han Xin nodded his head and Xiang Yu got up to prepare more food. Han Xin fidgeted restlessly against the rough stone wall behind him as he watched her. He idly scratched at the stick in his hand, his thoughts swirling. Soon he made up his mind to do it. He was going to ask her for a kiss. He pursed his lips, fearing he would be rejected, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold it back much longer. He had to at least ask her.

After they finished eating, Xiang Yu pulled up his torn robe and draped it across both their shoulders to keep them warm. For several moments, they remained silent. Xiang Yu was lost in thought as he stared at the dancing flames. When he heard the man’s soft breathing, he glanced sideways at him. He found Han Xin’s eyes fluttering shut.

He thought perhaps Han Xin had fallen asleep when suddenly he felt the gentle weight of the man’s head resting on his shoulder. A jolt shot through him as strands of Han Xin’s hair tickled his skin. He turned to glance at him again before looking away, his lips quirking slightly.

"Ah-Xiu," came Han Xin’s soft murmur.

Xiang Yu responded with a soft "mm," his chest vibrating with the sound. Han Xin didn’t speak right away. For a moment there was something heavy lingering in the air between them. Concern creased Xiang Yu’s brow as he asked softly, "What’s wrong? Does it hurt?"

A hesitation lingered before Han Xin replied with a faint nod. "Yes... it hurts a little."

Xiang Yu turned fully toward him now with concern etched into every line on his face. That old man must have lied about the efficiency of the medicinal plants; otherwise, why else would Han Xin be in pain? "Where exactly does it hurt?" he asked his hand instinctively reaching toward Han Xin’s temple where an ugly bruise marred his otherwise perfect skin.

But before he could touch him, Han Xin grasped his wrist gently yet firmly. Their fingers intertwined naturally and Xiang Yu froze momentarily at this unexpected development while warmth surged through him like wildfire igniting dry grass.

Han Xin looked down at their joined hand. He began to massage her fingers tenderly, feeling the callouses on them. He didn’t know what sort of hard life she had lived, but if she became his wife, he would make sure she wouldn’t have to suffer.

Xiang Yu, on the other hand, didn’t know how to react. He should have pulled his hand away but every caress made him feel a strange itchiness. It stirred emotions buried deep within his heart, emotions he had never felt before.

Silence filled the small cave the tension in the air crackling more fervently than the flames gently swaying with the breeze. "Ah-Xiu," said Han Xin tentatively after some moments. "Can I kiss you?"

Time itself seemed to pause around them at his question. Xiang Yu’s throat rolled as he swallowed, his heart beating loudly in his ears. He had been curious about how it would feel to kiss Han Xin with both of them fully awake.